4 Nations Hockey

[alancac98]

Last night, the USA team beat Team Canada 3-1 and punched their ticket t to the finals match regardless of the outcome of their third match with Team Sweden. It was a highly contested game in which their were 3 fights in the first 9 seconds of the game (yes, you heard that right). The fights appeared to be in response to the Canadian crowd booing the American anthem. Then things settled down and they got to playing hockey. This marks the very first loss Sidney Crosby has experienced as Team Canada's captain - 26-0 until now! It is most likely that these two teams will face off in the finals as well, but it was a hell of a game. I think the USA out physicalled Team Canada most of the night and left them very little room to navigate on the ice. Hellebuyck was fantastic in goal! Great game! I encourage all those hockey fans to tune in! Down goes Crosby, Down goes Crosby!! (I love the Pens and Crosby but Team USA all the way, all day)

[CoolShades]

Good to see Guentzel have a big night. I can’t for the life of me figure how Sullivan got the coaching gig. Seriously? Did no one else want it, or is he the only American coach in the NHL? I wasn’t fond of the 3rd period turtle, but it worked. I hope they don’t play Canada in the finals. The US already beat them. No need to let them have a second crack at it.

I think this tournament sucks being in the middle of the season and without Russia. But hey, USA-Canada was good hockey!

[bradshaw2ben]

Good to see Guentzel have a big night. I can’t for the life of me figure how Sullivan got the coaching gig. Seriously? Did no one else want it, or is he the only American coach in the NHL? I wasn’t fond of the 3rd period turtle, but it worked. I hope they don’t play Canada in the finals. The US already beat them. No need to let them have a second crack at it.

I think this tournament sucks being in the middle of the season and without Russia. But hey, USA-Canada was good hockey!

If this were a 6-team tourney with Russia & Chech Republic added, this would be about the greatest hockey tournament this side of the Canada Cup.

I'd seed the teams:
1. Russia
2. Canada
3. US
4. Sweden
5. Chechia
6. Finland... but with Finland totally capable of beating anyone in the tournament

[Louis Lipps Service]

Good to see Guentzel have a big night. I can’t for the life of me figure how Sullivan got the coaching gig. Seriously? Did no one else want it, or is he the only American coach in the NHL? I wasn’t fond of the 3rd period turtle, but it worked. I hope they don’t play Canada in the finals. The US already beat them. No need to let them have a second crack at it.

I think this tournament sucks being in the middle of the season and without Russia. But hey, USA-Canada was good hockey!

If this were a 6-team tourney with Russia & Chech Republic added, this would be about the greatest hockey tournament this side of the Canada Cup.

I'd seed the teams:
1. Russia
2. Canada
3. US
4. Sweden
5. Chechia
6. Finland... but with Finland totally capable of beating anyone in the tournament

Agreed. I think this is a great start to something that could be pretty awesome. Definitely need Russia in it, though. Might be able to reorganize some stuff to fit more countries in, too. Something like:

Canada
US
Russia
Sweden
Finland
All other European Countries

Sort of sucks for everyone on the Euro team to not be able to represent their individual countries, but I think I makes sense to get more involvement from that region and keeping it competitive with the rest of the powerhouses.

[Louis Lipps Service]

Fun tournament.

Congrats to Sid and Canada.

Great gotta say, though. I know Sid was playing hurt and out of position, but playing with the best of the best was a bit of an eye opener for me.

Granted i didn’t watch every game, but the two I saw it was pretty clear that Sid was a step or two behind everyone else from a pacing standpoint. I know he still contributed in the points category. But even his body language suggested he wasn’t real comfortable with anything (again acknowledging that he was hurt and that may have played into it).

I was thinking we had another 2-3 years of him at least being a solid contributor.

But if the team finishes dead last or even close to that in the division, I’m honestly wondering if he doesn’t just hang up right then and there. Sid doesn’t strike me as someone who would stick around for a paycheck just to lose games.

Then again, I also suspect it’s going to be a group decision between him, Geno and Letang and I don’t know where their heads are at.

[Ice]

That hit and empty netter against Finland didn't look like somebody who's hanging em up anytime soon. Maybe only a couple more years of playing like Sid, but could probably do 1991 Bryan Trottier (with an occasional dash of Ronnie Francis) till he's 50 if he wanted to.

[gpclay]

I also wonder for Sid where his mind is at in terms of the “all time greats” stats. He has been moving up into the top ten on a lot of lists and I haven’t checked to see what is realistic for him to do. I am sure he burns with a desire to be mentioned alongside the all-time greats in the sport regardless of what he says about team first or wins being more important than personal stats (not that wins are not the most important measure, but still…)